Welsh assembly members claim iPods on expenses

Imagine being able to buy yourself an iPod on expenses. That exactly what two Conservative members of the Welsh assembly have done, according to new figures out today.

Opposition leader Nick Bourne and fellow Tory Alun Cairns submitted the portable music players, worth a combined £398, as office costs. A Conservative spokesman said Bourne uses it to listen to news podcasts and help him learn Welsh.

A breakdown of AMs' claims for their offices, living allowances and travel expenses also showed that Tory AM Nick Ramsay bought his office a television, a stand and TV insurance worth £814.98. An earlier batch of second-home expenses, released in August, showed he spent £977.95 on a Sony LCD television and surround-sound system.

A Welsh Conservative party spokesman said: "Welsh Conservatives have always supported greater transparency in the work of the national assembly and by assembly members.

"Today's publication of AMs' allowances is an important part of that. All of these claims are legitimate and within the rules. We await the outcome of Sir Roger Jones's review and will consider his recommendations in detail."